2000 Quality of Life Optimas Award Profile Patagonia

Awarded to a department that has taken a proactive approach to the quality of life of employees.

July 28, 2000

Patagonia

Real HR: Patagonia’s mission statement declares that "Patagonia exists to use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis."

The company donates 1% of sales to environmental causes; the funds average about $1.3 million annually.

It also sponsors an annual three-day conference to teach environmentalists to become activists.

In turn, HR supports that mission by hiring outdoor enthusiasts and then working to create a culture in which they can enjoy the environment.

Real Impact: Patagonia’s HR staff has honed its selection process to recruit and hire enthusiasts with an expertise in the activities that require the products that Patagonia markets.

In addition, several work/life initiatives are designed to give employees time to use the products, and to pursue volunteer activities that support the environment; an environmental internship program has allowed employees to work all over the world in support of environmental causes.

And HR has calculated the ROI on all its efforts.

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